Three Cups of Tea makes me believe in the power of one person’s vision and the ripple effect it can have on a community. I commend his persistence, tenacity, and unfailing dedication to the task at hand. Even when the world was ready to give up on that part of the world, Greg Mortenson remained convicted that his mission was worthwhile and honorable and was making a difference.
Throughout the book, however, I was annoyed by the over-use of the third person. It seemed every sentence started with Mortenson. Mortenson went here. Mortenson got stopped by ____. Mortenson fretted. The quality of writing left a lot to be desired.
I also felt for Greg’s wife, who was left for months at a time, adding up to YEARS, even while she was pregnant, wondering if he was safe, fed, or even alive. Somehow over time, the reality of her husband’s personality traits she fell madly in love with, coupled with changing circumstances, became nearly impossible to maintain. How many of us can relate to this?
Three Cups of Tea is worth reading if you have the time, but it didn’t blow me away. I think I would have enjoyed a documentary format much more.
***Updated 10/26/09 — My book club friends tell me the Children’s and Young Adult Versions are much more interesting. I am going to look for them.***
2 Comments
October 27, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Interesting. I would probably be too sympathetic with the wife’s situation to appreciate the man!
December 29, 2009 at 7:04 am
[...] Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson – Great idea, poor execution [...]